Joseph Gonçalves Freitas was a provat on the 2nd Armored Division of the American army - the "Hell on Whells". This unit fought in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy and then crossed through France and Germany, until the surrender of the Nazis on May 8, 1945.

Joseph enlisted on March 4, 1941, even before the USA entered the war and became a privat in the 2nd Armored Division.

The Division landed in Morocco on November 8, 1942, during Operation Torch, but had little intervention in the fighting that followed against the "Africa Corps". On July 10, 1943, they arrived in Sicily where they distinguished themselfs in the capture of Palermo, the island's capital, taking thousands of Italian prisoners on the way. Shortly afterwards they went to England to prepare the landings in France.

On June 9, 1944, three days after the landing of the first troops on French territory, Joseph Freitas also arrived in Normandy where he participated with his remaining comrades in the capture of several places on the Contentin peninsula. Weeks later he participated in Operation Cobra which broke through the German lines in Normandy. During the advance, the American 2nd Armored Division caused numerous casualties to the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" and the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen", in the Roncey Commune area.

The photograph was taken on July 28, 1944 when Joseph Freitas was preparing a meal in the town of Pont-Brocard, on the outskirts of Saint-Lô, in Normandy.

In the following weeks they crossed France, the border with Belgium and entered Germany on September 18th.

Joseph Gonçalves Freitas was born in Madeira Island and was a carpenter by profession. He and his family arrived in the USA in 1937. He was 21 years old. He took up residence in New York. In October 1940 he became an American citizen, the same happening to his father and brother.

He enlisted even before his new country entered the war. He returned from Europe on September 26, 1945, resuming his profession as a carpenter.

He married Beatrice Mello and had two children.

Carlos Guerreiro

Note: Most of this information was first published on the Espada & Escudo blog. We appreciate theyr willingness to share the story with "Portugal 1939-1945".